Club de la Montre is a French retailer of designer watches based in Toulouse. This article explains how to choose a Nixon watch in 2026, by collection and size. Our recommendation to start with: the 37-mm stainless steel Time Teller, priced at 140 euros—the brand’s iconic model and the one that fits the widest range of wrist sizes.
The Essentials in 30 Seconds
- Nixon was founded in 1997 in Encinitas, California, to provide wristwear for surfers and skateboarders.
- Of the 255 Nixon models available for order from us, six feature a tide display. Today, the brand primarily sells three-hand models in stainless steel.
- Four families cover almost everything: Time Teller (71 models), Sentry (49), 51-30 Chrono (26), and Corporal (14).
- Sizes range from 26 to 51 mm. The Time Teller is available in 26, 31, 37, and 40 mm: it is the only collection that fits all wrist sizes.
- Prices at our store: from 90 to 525 euros for the selection below.
Nixon in Three Key Dates
In 1996, Chad DiNenna was looking for a watch that reflected his life as a Californian surfer but couldn’t find one. He mentioned this to Andy Laats, an engineer who had worked in the snowboard division at Burton. The two men founded Nixon in 1997 in Encinitas, north of San Diego, and stocked their first watches in surf and skate shops rather than jewelry stores. It was this distribution strategy, as much as the products themselves, that defined the brand.
2000: Europe Passes Through the Landes
The European subsidiary is opening in Soorts-Hossegor, the surfing capital of France. A California-based brand setting up its European branch in the Landes region—which, incidentally, is a pretty good indication of where its customers are located.
2006: The acquisition by Billabong
The Australian group Billabong acquired Nixon in December 2006 and opened up its global distribution network to the brand. The brand regained its independence in 2012, with the Trilantic fund and the founders’ return as shareholders. This was followed by the launch of its first smartwatch in 2016, then a fairly quick return to what the brand does best: rugged quartz watches with a distinctive design.
The surprising statistic: six tide watches out of 255
On September 16, 2026, we counted the Nixon models we can ship. There are 255 of them. Among them, six display the tide: four Base Tide Pro models and two High Tide models. That’s two percent of our inventory. Meanwhile, the Time Teller family alone—a simple, three-hand stainless steel watch—accounts for 71 of them.
This observation is borne out by the product sheets for which we have provided technical specifications. Of these 70 watches: 63 have stainless steel cases compared to 4 with plastic cases, 66 have analog displays compared to 4 with digital displays, and 65 feature the brand’s signature barrel-shaped case. Nixon still offers surf watches, but they have become a niche offering in a catalog that has shifted toward an urban aesthetic.
One thing, however, remains unchanged: 67 of these 70 watches are water-resistant to 100 meters, while the other three are water-resistant to 50 meters. Nixon has retained from its early days a commitment to water resistance that many fashion brands in this price range lack. The true legacy of surfing lies there—in the gasket, not in the design. If you’re interested in this topic, we’ve covered it in detail in our guide to water-resistant watches for swimming.
The Four Families You Should Know About
Nixon has about 40 lines in its catalog, but four of them account for the majority of what we sell. If you can tell them apart, you know how to choose.
| Family | Our References | Diameter | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Teller | 71 | 26, 31, 37, and 40 mm | Everyone. Steel, three hands, 100 m. |
| Sentry | 49 | 42 mm | Those who want a leather strap and a more dressy dial. |
| 51-30 Timer | 26 | 51 mm | For those with large wrists and those who love a bold statement. 300 m. |
| Corporal | 14 | 48 mm | A compromise between the Time Teller and the 51-30. |
The rest are divided among shorter series: Base Tide Pro and High Tide for tides, Ripper and Heat for digital watches, Drifter GMT for a second time zone, and Thalia and Siren for women. All of them are featured on our Nixon watches page.
The Nixon Spirit
You can understand a brand better in context than from a spec sheet. Here are six images from the Nixon collection—from driftwood to the skatepark—and for each one, the exact model you see on the wrist or on the table.
Time Teller Silver / Mandarin140 € →
Time Teller All Gold€140 →
Time Teller Silver / Rose Gold€140 →
51-30 Chrono Silver / Rose Gold€525 →
Sisi All Silver / Black€230 →
Sisi All Gold / Cognac€230 →Each photo shows a model from our catalog. Click the tile to open its product page.
An everyday watch, priced from 90 to 140 euros
This is the line where Nixon hits the mark best. It features true 100-meter water resistance, a tool-free strap, and a design unlike any other. Three models sum up the collection.
90 €
36.5 mm digital watch, quick-release silicone strap, 100 m. The entry-level model.
140 €
The brand's signature watch: steel, 37 mm, 9 mm thick, 100 m water resistance. It goes with everything.
The Time Teller deserves a few more words. It measures 37 mm in diameter and is only 9 mm thick—which is quite slim—and that’s why it slides under a shirt sleeve without catching. This is the watch we recommend to someone buying their first Nixon and who isn’t quite sure what they want yet. To make sure a 37-mm case will fit you, our guide to case diameter based on wrist size explains how to do it in just two minutes.
The ones that still go into the water
If you want a Nixon that’s true to its original design, these three models deliver on that promise. They cater to three different uses and three different budgets.
Nixon Time Teller Solar Dusty Blue
155 €
40 mm, solar-powered, tool-free adjustable folding clasp, 100 m. No more battery changes.
Nixon 51-30 Chrono Silver / White Lume
525 €
51 mm of steel and 300 m of water resistance. The brand's signature piece.
The Base Tide Pro is the only watch in this selection that does something your phone does poorly: it stores tide schedules for 550 beaches in its memory, even without a network connection. Its case is partly made from plastic recovered from the ocean. The Time Teller Solar, on the other hand, solves another, more practical problem: it recharges in the light, so you no longer have to open the back to change the battery. We’ve dedicated an entire article to this concept in our guide to solar-powered watches.
As for the 51-30 Chrono, its 300-meter water resistance and screw-down crown make it the only Nixon model in the catalog that’s truly suitable for diving. It also features a 51-mm case: be sure to measure your wrist before making a decision—it’s not for everyone. It’s also included in our selection of men’s sports watches and in the men’s water-resistant watches section.
For a slimmer wrist, and for going out
The Time Teller is as small as 26 mm, which is rare: most brands in this segment stop at 32 or 34 mm, leaving those with slender wrists with no options. Three styles, ranging from the most understated to the most dressy.
Nixon Small Time Teller All Rose Gold
125 €
The Time Teller, now 26 mm in diameter, with a five-link steel bracelet, water-resistant to 100 m.
Nixon Medium Time Teller Silver / Turquoise
125 €
31 mm with a vivid turquoise dial on a brushed steel case. The best combination of style and value.
Nixon Thalia Leather Rose Gold / White
230 €
38 mm on a leather strap, date window, crown engraved with a wing. The most elegant.
The turquoise dial of the Medium Time Teller is a good example of what Nixon does better than its direct competitors: a bold, confident color on a understated case. This is exactly the point we make in our guide to water-resistant watches for women. The rest of the women’s collection can be explored in the women’s watches section.
What size Nixon watch fits your wrist?
That's the question we get asked most often, and the answer comes down to three steps.
- Measure the circumference of your wrist with a tape measure or a strip of paper, and then transfer the measurement to a ruler.
- Convert the measurement to diameter. Less than 15 cm: aim for 26 to 31 mm. From 15 to 17 cm: 34 to 38 mm. From 17 to 19 cm: 38 to 42 mm. Over 19 cm: 44 and 48 mm become viable options, as does 51-30.
- Check the thickness—something everyone tends to overlook. A 9-mm-thick watch, like the Time Teller, fits under a sleeve. A 15-mm-thick watch does not.
The four sizes of the Time Teller alone cover this entire range: 26, 31, 37, and 40 mm. That's why we recommend it so often.
What You Need to Know Before Buying
Three well-deserved points, because they make all the difference.
The crystal is mineral, not sapphire. All 63 Nixon product listings for which we have provided this information specify a mineral crystal, which withstands impacts better than sapphire but scratches more easily. For a watch designed for skateboarding and the beach, this choice makes sense.
The movement is quartz. Of these models, 58 are quartz and 8 are solar-powered; none are automatic. Nixon has never promised a mechanical movement, and the price reflects that—in a good way.
Shipping time. Most of our Nixon items are listed as shipping within 10 to 15 days on the product page. If you're shopping for a specific date, such as a birthday or Christmas, be sure to check this information before checking out. It's listed on each product page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nixon Watches
Is Nixon a good watch brand?
Yes, in its own right. Nixon makes steel quartz watches with impressive water resistance for the price: 67 of the 70 models for which we have this data are water-resistant to 100 meters. These aren’t mechanical watches, and the brand doesn’t claim they are. Prices range from 90 to 525 euros, depending on the model.
Which Nixon watch is the best-selling one?
The Time Teller, by far. It’s the largest collection in our Nixon catalog, with 71 models available in four sizes: 26, 31, 37, and 40 millimeters. The classic 37-mm stainless steel model is priced at 140 euros.
Can you swim with a Nixon watch?
With the vast majority of them, yes. The standard water resistance listed in the catalog is 100 meters, which covers swimming, showering, and surface water sports. For scuba diving, only the 51-30 Chrono—rated for 300 meters with a screw-down crown—is suitable.
Which Nixon size should I choose?
Measure your wrist circumference. If it’s less than 15 cm, aim for 26 to 31 mm. Between 15 and 17 cm, 34 to 38 mm. Between 17 and 19 cm, 38 to 42 mm. Above that, larger cases ranging from 44 to 51 mm become wearable. Also consider the thickness: 9 mm fits under a sleeve, while 15 mm does not.
Do Nixon watches display the tides?
Only six of them, out of the 255 we can ship: four Base Tide Pro models and two High Tide models. They have tide schedules for 550 beaches stored in memory, without needing an internet connection. The rest of the catalog consists of classic watches.
Where are Nixon watches made?
Nixon is an American brand, founded in 1997 in Encinitas, California, with production based in Asia. The product listings in our catalog that include this information list China as the country of origin. The concept and design remain Californian.
What is the difference between a Time Teller and a Sentry?
The Time Teller is a minimalist three-hand stainless steel watch, available in sizes from 26 to 40 mm, with no date display on most versions. The Sentry is larger, at 42 mm, is often worn on a leather strap, and features a more dressy dial. The former for its simplicity, the latter for its style.
Does Nixon make women's watches?
Yes, and the selection is wider than you might think. The Small Time Teller is 26 mm wide, the Medium is 31 mm wide, and lines like the Thalia and the Siren are designed for slender wrists. These models range in price from 125 to 230 euros.
Our final tip
If you're still on the fence, go for the 37 mm Time Teller for 140 euros. It's the watch that made the brand; it fits almost any wrist, is water-resistant to 100 meters, and costs about as much as a nice strap from other brands. If you’re specifically looking for the original spirit, go for the Base Tide Pro: it’s one of the six Nixon models that still display the tide, and it’s made in part from plastic recovered from the ocean.
All our product listings can be found on the Nixon watches page. To compare with other brands in the same style, our sports watch guide and digital watch guide are useful supplements to this one.
